Tunisia-Italy partnership: Biological zones to support 2,200 people

On Friday, Tunisian and Italian officials concluded the first phase of a project to develop a study for the creation of pilot biological zones in the regions of El Haouaria, Hazoua, Majel Belabbès, Sejnane and Kesra. The project will directly benefit around 2,200 people.

The closing ceremony for this first phase was attended by Hamadi Habib, Secretary of State for Water Resources, Alessandro Brunas, Italian Ambassador to Tunisia, the Director of the International Centre for Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) in Bari, and the Director of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements in Europe (IFOAM).Italy's Ambassador to Tunisia, the Director of the International Centre for Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) in Bari, and the Director of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements in Europe (IFOAM).

During this initial phase, an in-depth study and diagnosis of the target areas was carried out to lay the foundations for the second phase, scheduled for early 2025. This phase will provide material and technical support to some 2,200 direct beneficiaries, with the aim of developing organic farming and enhancing complementary value chains. The ultimate aim is to have these areas officially recognized as organic production hubs.

Hamadi Habib emphasized the strategic importance of organic farming, which plays a key role in the national economy and export development.

Tunisia stands out as a world leader in this field, and remains the only African and Arab country recognized as an exporter of organic products to the European Union (since 2009), the Swiss market (since 2011) and the United Kingdom (since 2020). This recognition is based on the reliability of the Tunisian organic label and the efficiency of its control and traceability system.

The Secretary of State also stressed the importance of Tunisian-Italian cooperation in supporting agriculture in general, and organic farming in particular. This partnership takes the form of a program of pilot organic zones, designed to promote this crucial sector. It also aims to encourage local economic and social development, strengthen the circular economy, and stimulate investment in areas such as organic farming, eco-tourism and cottage industries.

He concluded by saying that this type of initiative will help deepen relations between Tunisia and Italy, while promoting the exchange of know-how and laying the foundations for an ambitious partnership in the years to come.

Source: lapresse.tn/